Supreme Court not a master, High Court not a servant: Justice CS Karnan after being served warrant by SC

New Delhi: Calcutta High Court judge Justice CS Karnan, against whom the Supreme Court issued a bailable warrant on Friday, remained defiant on his stand, saying the apex court doesn't have the authority to issue such an order against a HC judge.

Addressing the press, Justice Karnan, who is facing a contempt case initiated by the SC, said that the apex court is not a master and the HC is not the servant.

Defending himself, the sitting HC judge said, he had sent a representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that some judges committed illegal activities, following which the top court issued suo moto contempt without any inquiry, discussion, or findings.

"Order is arbitrary and it was deliberately issued against me in order to ruin my life, career," the Calcutta HC judge asserted.

He further said that the SC judges, who passed the order against him, have committed contempt of court.

Earlier today, a seven-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar asked the West Bengal Director General of Police to serve the bailable warrant to Justice Karnan and sought his presence before it on March 31.

"There is no other alternative to seek presence of Shri Justice CS Karnan. We issue bailable warrants of the sum of Rs 10,000 in the nature of personal bond to the satisfaction of the arresting officer," a seven-judge bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar said.

The court also said that the Registry of the Supreme Court had received a text message from Justice Karnan on March 8, "seeking a meeting with CJI and other judges so as to discuss certain administrative issues which primarily seem to reflect allegations against certain judges.

"The letter can't be considered as response to contempt petition. In view of the above, there is no alternative but to ensure his presence in the court by issuing bailable warrant."

Earlier, the Supreme Court bench had issued contempt notice to Justice Karnan for writing letters casting aspersions on several judges.